The Little Secret Read Online Free PDF Page B

deserves.” She leaned forward. The chair cracked alarmingly. “What do you think, Mr. Hughes?”
    â€œWell,” Dad said, “I’ve no objection — but it’s really up to Jane. Would you like to go, darling?”
    Jane said, “I’d totally love to.”
    Staffa gave a shriek of joy. She gave Jane a hug so hard that it almost hurt, and whispered fiercely in her ear, “You won’t be sorry you did this!”

TRAVELS WITH A BOX
    They set out on the very first day of the summer vacation. Lady Matilda had told Jane not to bring too much luggage, so she had stuffed just a few belongings into her school backpack — a book, a toothbrush, a hairbrush, and a single change of clothes.
    The car arrived at the Boy Garden right after breakfast. Lady Matilda leapt out, dressed in a trouser suit of bright-orange velvet and a matching hat like an orange-velvet crash helmet. “The open road beckons!” she cried. “Say your farewells, dear girls!”
    The morning was bright and sunny, and Jane was excited. Much as she loved the Boy Garden, she longed to see new sights and have new experiences. “I’ll send loads of postcards,” she promised her brothers. “I’ll have a lot to tell when I get home!”
    â€œBring sweets!” shouted Mike and Phil.
    Staffa’s good-byes took longest. She kissed all the boys — including the oldest, Martin, who had only just gotten back from college. She kissed Mom and Dad, and thanked them for their kindness.
    â€œOh, do hurry up!” Lady Matilda said crossly. “Kissing them all takes so LONG!”
    Staffa gave one last hug and kiss to little Ted. She climbed into the car beside Jane. As they moved away, Jane saw tears on her white cheeks. It was the first time she had ever seen Staffa crying. She took her hand.
    â€œStaffa? Are you okay?”
    â€œI’ll miss them, that’s all.” Staffa did her best to smile. “I’ve had the time of my life at your Boy Garden. I’m glad I’m taking you away with me, as a souvenir.” She added, “For a few weeks, anyway. I don’t think I could bear it otherwise.”
    â€œOh, for goodness sake,” said Lady Matilda. “Don’t be such a drip.”
    Jane thought this was mean of her. She gave Staffa’s hand a friendly squeeze. “You can come back whenever you like.”
    â€œNo, I can’t,” Staffa said. “I can’t do anything I like.”
    It was an odd remark, which made her mother scowl. When Lady Matilda frowned, deep furrows appeared in her white forehead, and she looked like the painted figurehead of an old-fashioned ship. Jane was a little afraid of her.
    â€œStaffa, I’m warning you now — I will not put up with sulking. Make me a cup of Haw-haw tea.”
    â€œYes, Mother.”
    â€œAnd only four sugars, because I’ve decided to make my bottom smaller. I couldn’t get my knickerbockers over it this morning.”
    â€œYes, Mother.” Staffa gave a snort of laughter, and winked at Jane to tell her she was all right.
    The big gold teapot, complete with gaslight, was traveling with them in the car. So was the painted box. This beautiful object sat on the leather seat between Staffa and her mother, held perfectly still with its own seat belt. Lady Matilda often stroked it, and rested her jeweled hand upon it. Every now and then she wiped it with a silk handkerchief, though there was never a speck on its painted sides. She covered it carefully with the handkerchief while she drank her tea.
    They stopped for lunch at a large hotel, somewhere in the middle of the countryside. It was very grand. Lady Matilda begged Jane to order whatever she fancied, and she chose a fancy kind of sausage and mashed potatoes, with ice cream to follow. It was all delicious.
    â€œI MUST get you some new clothes, Jane,” Lady Matilda said, looking scornfully at Jane’s